Ambitions
ACTIAM focuses on the interface between financial and social returns
ACTIAM focuses on the areas where financial and social return meet. It is our belief that the transition towards a sustainable society will speed up and that those that do not follow these developments eventually will lose, due to either market forces, government policies or technological disruption. To support the necessary transition towards a sustainable society, ACTIAM is bringing its investment portfolios within the safe and just zone and/or on the internationally agreed pathways towards that safe zone by 2030.
We demonstrate that a solid financial return can be achieved while at the same timea positive social impact can be realised. ACTIAM does this by focusing on material developments, such as the consequences of the growing world population and the increasing demand for energy, food and a place to live. We consider how these aspects impact on the Material Sustainability Drivers. For each driver, we have formulated a specific ambition. In order to achieve these ambitions, choices must be made, for example, to cease, reduce, replace, recycle or innovate.
ACTIAM ambition on fossil fuel use: -50% GHG emissions by 2030
We manage our assets in the spirit of the Paris Climate Agreement and we track the carbon footprint of our investments. The long-term objective is to achieve net zero emissions in 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5°C . The intermediate targets are to reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of ACTIAM's investments by at least 50% in 2030 and 75% in 2040 compared to 2020 levels. Low-carbon solutions that offer a positive contribution to the energy transition also offer investment opportunities.
Read our latest case study on how we are achieving our ambition on Climate in practice.
ACTIAM ambition on water use: water-neutral by 2030
A water-neutral portfolio means that we aim for reduced water use in areas where water is scarce and for better access to water and better water quality. Circular water solutions and improved infrastructure offer investment opportunities. ACTIAM invests in, for example, green bonds issued by banks. They finance municipalities that want to improve their water recycling and wastewater management facilities. There are many challenges before these ambitions can be realised, but we will be achieving this ambition by contributing to better data quality and collaborations with other parties.
Read our latest case study on how we are achieving our ambition on Water in practice.
ACTIAM ambition on land use: no more deforestation by 2030
Inappropriate land use due to deforestation can increase the amount of CO2 and lead to a reduction in income and available food supplies. This is why sustainable agricultural practices offer investment opportunities. One of the companies ACTIAM invests in is a large Scandinavian forestry corporation, a frontrunner in sustainable forestry practices. A large part of its forests has been granted the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. The mission of FSC is to promote the responsible management of forests.
Read our latest case study on how we are achieving our ambition on Land in practice.
ACTIAM has also formulated two additional objectives:
ACTIAM ambition on chemicals and waste management
ACTIAM believes that it is essential for companies to improve their performance regarding chemical pollution and waste management. Therefore, ACTIAM aims to move towards a situation with zero waste generation in its investment portfolio by 2050. To realize this, ACTIAM expects companies in which it invests to adapt towards a circular business model.
ACTIAM ambition on human capital management, social capital management & organisational behaviour
It is ACTIAM's investment belief that good management of the company's social and governance drivers contributes to its long term financial benefits, but at the same time contributes to the well-being of its employees and the communities in which it operates. ACTIAM aims to invest in companies that provide transparency about how they address corporate behaviour, human and social concerns in their policies and processes.
Planetary boundaries
One of the methods ACTIAM uses is the concept of planetary boundaries. This concept is based on the theory that humanity needs to operate within nine essential ecological boundaries. Crossing these boundaries will have enormous negative effects on our planet. That is why it is necessary that the corresponding SDGs are met. Nevertheless, three of the nine boundaries have already been crossed: the thresholds for climate, biodiversity and the nitrogen and phosphorus cycle. ACTIAM translates the planetary boundaries into parameters for an investment portfolio or into parameters at a company level.
We keep innovating: PRI 2020 Leaders' Group on Climate Reporting
We continuously work and focus on making our ambitions measurable. We do this in part via the Platform for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) and via the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). We are therefore proud to be part of the PRI 2020 Leaders' Group on Climate Reporting.
Please also view the complete overview of our current Partnerships.